The Royal Canadian Legion Orillia Branch 34 is preparing to re-start its charity bingo nights next week.
The community is welcome to play bingo on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and dabbers will have a chance to win a good-sized jackpot - finally.
“When we were only able to operate at 50 percent capacity (due to COVID restrictions), we had to lower our prizes,” explains Legion president Rick Purcell. “As of March 1, all of the restrictions will be relaxed, and we will be able to come back to full capacity with a full prize board.”
Bingo was missed by many members of the local community, Purcell says, but it was missed the most by the local 12 charities the bingo benefits.
“We want to get back open again so we can help the charities help our community,” he said. “The Legion is one of the 12 charities, and all that money is given back to the community.”
Bingo proceeds raised for the Legion go to support youth sports and community festivals such as Canada Day and the Scottish Festival.
“We support youth baseball, soccer, hockey, softball, and all the youth sports teams who ask for donations,” Purcell said.
Bingo typically raises about $8,000 a year for the Legion, but during the last two pandemic years, about half of that was raised.
The Legion is also in need of volunteers to help out on bingo nights.
“All of the community groups are struggling for volunteers because a lot of people are afraid to come out because of COVID,” Purcell said.
If you would like to volunteer at bingo, call the Legion at 705-325-8442.
“Come out and support us,” Purcell urged. “Bingo is especially important to the Legion because the organizers pay rent. Without bingo, the Legion’s finances are lower than they should be.”
Purcell says the Legion is doing "OK" right now, but he admits they are "struggling a little bit" with finances.
“If we get the bingo back up and functioning it will really help,” he said. “We hope people are going to come back to support bingo and the Legion.”
